Labor promises girls' education help

Year 12 will be made easier for thousands of indigenous girls through a mentoring program under a federal Labor government.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will announce the policy in Townsville on Thursday to create the places in the Stars Foundation's programs, tripling the number of girls supported each year.

"A good quality education lays the foundation for success in life," Mr Shorten said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, First Nations girls and young women have received significantly fewer opportunities to take part in programs that provide high quality mentoring and school support."

The $19.5 million commitment will allow the Stars Foundation to build on its successful programs in the Northern Territory and Queensland and expand into schools across Australia, including in the Kimberley in Western Australia.

The Students in the Stars program now has a graduation rate of 96 per cent.